Maryam vows to revolutionise health sector

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz discussed health reforms with Provisional Health Adviser Major General (retd) Azhar Mehmood Kayani here on Monday.

“The health sector is very close to my heart. It is our commitment to provide access to the best healthcare facilities for every citizen of Punjab,” said Maryam in the meeting. She added: “I have decided to revolutionize the health sector.”

The chief minister agreed to take all possible measures for the early completion of health projects. She said: “Work has started on upgradation of all health centres, THQ and tertiary hospitals. Medicines for heart diseases, TB, cancer and hepatitis are being delivered at patients’ doorsteps. I was very happy when a lady showed me home-delivered heart medicines of her husband. The Field Hospitals and Clinics on Wheels project is one of the most successful projects. In a few weeks, 12 lakh people have been treated at their doorsteps.”

“Field hospitals have X-rays, free lab tests and ECG facilities along with free medicines. We are adding 500 more Clinics on Wheels. To check shortage of doctors in remote areas, incentives are being given to doctors. The provision of free medicines in hospitals, which was stopped in the past, has been restarted. The scope of Field Hospitals will be gradually expanded to all districts. With the construction of cardiology and paeds blocks in districts, the residents of villages will not have to move to big cities for treatment,” she said.

“It is important to make the existing health infrastructure fully public friendly. The existing system will be overhauled and restructured. Steps should be taken for modern research in medical colleges and universities,” she said.

On reaching Lahore, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif made emergency visits to different areas of the city to review ongoing operations and arrangements to deal with unusual rains. Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners and other administrative officers had to rush to the sites. She directed them to remain in the field to get things normal as early as possible. She directed the administration to monitor and report on-ground situation after every half hour.